As a licensed pharmacy technician with a job she loves, Phaniece Bouie can confidently say “it’s possible.” She holds up her story as proof that — with courage, opportunity, and support — you can shape a future that once seemed out of reach.
Phaniece first enrolled in WMCAT’s Adult Career Training Program in 2022, excited to become a pharmacy technician. It was the fulfilling career she’d dreamed of that would allow her to build stability for her young family. But when unexpected personal challenges arrived, she made the difficult decision to leave.
She was determined to return and finish, getting her chance in 2025 when she was “welcomed back with open arms.” The next eight months were hard: attending class, studying, completing an externship, working part-time, and caring for her sons, Khymir and Darius. Support from instructor Cindy Goodyke, WMCAT staff, and guest speakers gave her “a sense of hope.” Her confidence grew with each milestone she achieved and strengthened her belief that she was on the right path.
“The connections that I’ve made through the program, the confidence that I’ve built, it makes me excited for my future… I can breathe. I finally overcame a big obstacle that I was trying to get through.”
Walking across the graduation stage in June was a moment years in the making. Today, Phaniece is excited to be working at Horizon LTC Pharmacy and says her career “means stability. I no longer have to survive. I’m gonna be able to live, I’m gonna be able to do more stuff for my kids.”
Now that she’s accomplished this goal, the possibilities for her future feel limitless: growing with her company, earning additional certifications, and pursuing other pathways in the field. “It genuinely motivates me to continue my education just so I can see how far I can go.”